Environmental & Social Projects at Pondicherry
Pondicherry has a number of organizations that are involved in social and environmental work. If you are interested in this type of activities you might want to get in touch with them and see if you can participate in some way or another. Here are a few projects.
Save Our Beach
Save our Beach is a project run by some Pondicherrians concerned about the eroding coastline
PondyCan
PondyCAN! (Pondy Citizens' Action Network) is a broad based, non-profit organization committed to preserve and enhance the natural, social, cultural and spiritual environment and to promote a holistic approach to development of this region which has as its focus the happiness and well being of the citizens.
Tsunamika
Tsunamika is a Tsunami related project of Auroville. Auroville is actively involved in many Tsunami Relief projects in Tamil Nadu. Tsunamika is one of them.
This project is conceived and executed by Upasana Design Studio of Auroville in the seaside villages of Auroville's bioregion. Nearly 480 fisherwomen from 6 villages are trained and from them around 180 ladies are now creating these little dolls called Tsunamika. She has been hand-made from fabrics left over from other creative works in Upasana. The project team, who trained the ladies, now supplies them with raw materials to continue producing the dolls. All dolls produced are bought from them in bulk and are gifted unconditionally worldwide by Upasana.
Tsunamika has many variations to suit different uses. She comes for instance as a hair clip, or book mark, paper clip etc.
Small Steps
A project run by the same group as Tsunamika which is trying to reduce the usage of plastic (polythene) bags.
Shuddham
Shuddham is an NGO whose aim is to create a beautiful India. Its pilot project is to create a zero-waste environment. They currently operate a very efficient waste management system in certain parts of the city.
INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Chultural Heritage)
INTACH is an all-India organization dedicated to heritage conservation and awareness. In Pondicherry, INTACH works with the Government and the public to conserve the architectural heritage and townscape. They have done some fantastic restoration work around the city. Check out the gallery section to see some of their work.
Beautiful Pondicherry
Beautiful Pondicherry is a blog that monitors projects that work towards making Pondicherry more beautiful than ever. Do check it out. It's pretty good reading.